Competency Status and Desire for Training in Core Public Health Domains: An Analysis by Job Level

Abstract

Context: Although trainings on core public health domains are widely available, and experts concur that competency in multiple core domains (analysis/assessment, leadership, communication, etc) is desirable for public health professionals, many still lack such competency. Employee job level could be a factor, as organizational research indicates that broad skill sets often hold importance mainly for higher-level employees. Objective: This study examines whether the association between competency and desire for training in core public health domains depends on job level. Design: A training preferences and domain competency survey of public health professionals: nonmanagers (n = 790), middle managers (n = 332), and upper managers (n = 69). The association of competency in domains overall with number of related training topics desired was examined using median tests. The association of competency in individual domains with desire for specific related training topics was assessed using logistic regressions adjusted for education. Settings: Public health departments in the US Southwest (2013-2019). Main Outcome Measures: Competence in core domains: Financial Planning and Management, Analysis/Assessment, Communication, Cultural Competency, Leadership/Systems Thinking, Policy Development/Program Planning, Public Health Sciences, and Community Dimensions of Practice. Desire for training (yes/no) in 25 domain-related topics. Results: Upper managers lacking overall competence in core domains desired more training topics than their competent counterparts (median of 12 topics vs 5, P =.02). In contrast, nonmanagers lacking overall competence desired fewer topics than their competent counterparts (4 vs 6, P